Law Enforcement Wants Share Of Casino Tax Revenue

Police and sheriffs departments are fighting for greater access to a slice of Ohio casino tax revenue intended for law enforcement training that has gone mainly to the State Highway Patrol. Groups representing local law enforcement supported a proposed amendment to change control of that money, 850 thousand dollars annually, in the two-year state budget. But lawmakers kept the current disbursement setup pending a report due by September on how best to distribute the money. It must recommend how some money could be shared with local law enforcement starting in the 2015 fiscal year. Police say that will not guarantee a fairer distribution.